Sexual Assault

Sexual violations or assault include any activities of a sexual nature which are non-consenting. Rape is the act of coerced penetrative sex, including vaginal, anal and oral penetration by an object or body part. Sexual assault is any other sort of sexual contact and behaviour that is unwanted, ranging from touching to any other activity if it is sexual. Sexual assault can be directed towards both men and women. Rapes and sexual assaults are more likely to be committed by someone the person knows, rather than a stranger.

Malta has signed the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, which introduces new crimes to Maltese law, including forced sterilisation, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. This means that anyone engaging in these activities will be prosecuted.

It is important that you seek support if you have been sexually assaulted. This may be from professionals, or family and close friends. Very often, people who have been assaulted feel ashamed of what has happened and may believe that it was somehow their fault. Not talking about it can impact the severity of the psychological consequences.

Services provided

Aġenzija Appoġġ, which is part of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, offers support to victims as well as to perpetrators in order to change their behaviour. More information can be found on www.appogg.gov.mt.

SOAR Malta (Surviving Abuse with Resilience) is a Support group for victims of intimate relationship violence and can be contacted on 21808981.

If you have been sexually assaulted do report the case to the police who will in turn take you to Mater Dei Hospital (MDH). Furthermore, support and medical services for victims of sexual assault are provided by the forensic team at Mater Dei Hospital. It is advisable to have a GU screen two weeks after the assault, and again after 3 months.